Father Robert Leland Valit

Father Robert Valit was born on April 1, 1928 and died on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at Our Little Sisters of the Poor. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Robert and Louise; his sister, Norma Knaus, and her husband Joseph; his special aunts, Agnes Raiter and Julia Hill, and other cherished relatives and friends. He is survived by his nephew, John Knaus, and John's wife Edna, his grand­ nephew, Tony Knaus; his close friends, Jerry and Jane Hulbert, James and Ann Ryan and their families; Fr. Michael Skluzacek, his spiritual director, Sr. Elizabeth Kerwin, CSJ of Loyola and the other relatives and friends who meant much to him. Father Valit sincerely believed that the most important and joyous experiences in his life were celebrating the Eucharist with the people of God in the parishes where he was privileged to serve. Father Valit graduated from St. Louis Park High School in 1946. He entered the Trappist Monastery of New Melleray Abbey in Iowa a few years later where he was ordained a priest on April 4th, 1961. After living as a cloistered contemplative monk for 22 years, Father Valit came home to the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to live as a parish priest. He served in a number of parishes, notably St. John the Baptist in Dayton, St. Peter's in Forest Lake, Our Lady of Grace in Edina and in active retirement in St. Mary's and St. Michael's in Stillwater. There will be a wake at St. Mary's, 423 S. Fifth St., Stillwater on Thursday, September 26, 2024 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with Vespers at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 27, 2024 at the Church of St. Michael, 611 Third St. S., Stillwater, MN with a visitation one hour prior to the Mass at the church. The interment will be in St. Michael's Cemetery in Bayport after the Mass. A luncheon in St. Michael's Social Hall will follow the burial. Memorials may be directed to the St. Croix Catholic School or the Little Sisters of the Poor. May Father Valit rest in peace and be caught up in the radiant glory of the kingdom of heaven.